Davis Bynum was a true Russian River Valley pioneer. A San Francisco newspaperman turned winemaker, he founded his namesake winery in 1965 and eight years later made the first single-vineyard Pinot Noir to come out of the Russian River Valley, the 1973 Rochioli Vineyard bottling, a wine that helped establish the appellation's identity as a Pinot Noir region of consequence. Bynum was the first winery on Westside Road and an early mentor to a generation of California winemakers including Gary Farrell, whom Bynum hired as his winemaker in 1978. The historic ivy-covered hop barn winery on Westside Road served as the production facility and tasting room for more than four decades.
Jane's Vineyard Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley: an earthy, red-fruited single-vineyard Pinot from deep in the valley.
River West Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley: from the estate's crown-jewel vineyard in the heart of the appellation.
Lindley's Knoll Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley: a highly rated single-vineyard bottling (Wine Enthusiast 91–92).
River West Chardonnay, Russian River Valley: estate Chardonnay grown in sandy-loam and gravelly Cortina soils near the river.
Virginia's Block Sauvignon Blanc, Jane's Vineyard: a bright single-vineyard white from the same Jane's Vineyard that yields the earthy Pinot Noir above.
In 2007, ready to retire, Bynum hand-picked his successors: the Klein family, fourth-generation California farmers and proprietors of Rodney Strong Vineyards, who took over the brand while honoring Bynum's vineyard-driven philosophy. Tom Klein continues as proprietor, working with winemaker Greg Morthole, who joined the Rodney Strong team in 2005, became associate winemaker in 2007, and was promoted to Davis Bynum winemaker in 2010. The flagship Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are estate-grown at the 60-acre River West Vineyard in the heart of the appellation, with additional single-vineyard bottlings from sources including the legendary Rochioli Vineyard. Tastings are now poured by appointment at the Rodney Strong Vineyards tasting room in Healdsburg, Thursday through Monday, with both indoor seating and an outdoor Terrace.
